In Lower Austria, the Franz-Josefs-Bahn line between Vienna and Gmünd and the Traisentalbahn line from St. Pölten via Traisen to Schrambach and Traisen to Hainfeld are being modernised for regional passenger rail transport. The work on the Gmünd – Vienna line includes the modernisation and disabled-accessible expansion of stations as well as increasing the maximum line speed to 160 km/h. Completion is planned by the end of the 2030s, with the state of Lower Austria investing around €54.5 million. In addition, a direct connection between the district capital Horn and the Franz-Josefs-Bahn every hour is planned, which will reduce the journey time from Horn to Vienna to around 70 minutes. The line of the Traisental railway will be electrified and the stations will be made disabled accessible. Adjustments will also be made for rail freight transport. Regional bus services will be adapted to the passenger rail transport timetable from 2027. The state of Lower Austria is investing €18.2 million in the modernisation of the Traisentalbahn.
